Still, figuring out who to tip and how much can be vexing. Post recommends writing down all the people who provide services to you on a regular basis so you can come up with a tipping budget.

A typical rule of thumb: Give cash or a gift that is equal in value to one session of service, such as a housecleaning visit or one night of babysitting. But with many households fallen on hard times, Post said there are other ways to express gratitude, such as baked goods or a personal note.

"If you can't give a tip, at least provide a card with a nice heartfelt note in it so you could have some way of showing appreciation," he said.

Just don't give your mail carrier any cash. They are barred from taking it. But they can accept food or small gifts worth less than $20, said Post.

Where you live can also influence how much you dole out and what you give.

New York City is an epicenter of tipping, said Consumer Reports senior editor Tobie Stanger.

For example, Manhattan resident Teri Rogers, who offers apartment dwellers tipping guidelines on her New York real estate site, Brick Underground, has a laundry list of people she plans to tip in cash this year, including her building's superintendent, a garage attendant, house cleaner and a dog walker.

Yet, in other locales, baked goods would be more the norm.

"It's very personal. It's regional," said Stanger.

How much should you tip?

SERVICE PROVIDER

SUGGESTED TIP

Au pair or live-in nanny

One week's pay and a gift from your kids

Regular babysitter

One evening's pay and a small gift from your kids

Housekeeper/Cleaner

Up to the amount of one week's pay and/or a small gift

Dog walker

Up to one week's pay or gift

Newspaper delivery person

$10-$30 or a small gift

Garage attendants

$10-$30 or a small gift

Doorman

$15-$80 or a gift

Building superintendent

$20-$80 or a gift

Trash/Recycling collectors

$10-$30 each. If it is a municipal service, then check city regulations first